---
title: "Prevalence of exposure of heavy metals and their impact on…"
description: "Drinking water contaminated with heavy metals is a widespread problem causing significant health issues globally."
url: "https://magellanlongevity.com/study/water_metals.md"
canonical: "https://magellanlongevity.com/study/water_metals.html"
html: "https://magellanlongevity.com/study/water_metals.html"
type: "study"
study_key: "water_metals"
journal: "Journal of Cellular Biochemistry"
year: 2017
pmid: "28643849"
doi: "10.1002/jcb.26234"
citations: 1
updated: 2026-09-02
author: "Gabriel Radu, DO"
author_credentials: "Physiatrist (PM&R). NY medical license 275110. NPI 1376861765."
publisher: "Magellan Longevity"
content_format: "markdown"
---

# Prevalence of exposure of heavy metals and their impact on health consequences.

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**HTML version:** https://magellanlongevity.com/study/water_metals.html · **In the Magellan app:** https://magellanlongevity.com/#/study/water_metals

## Citation

| Field | Value |
| --- | --- |
| Journal | Journal of Cellular Biochemistry |
| Year | 2017 |
| PMID | [28643849](https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/28643849/) |
| DOI | [10.1002/jcb.26234](https://doi.org/10.1002/jcb.26234) |
| Study key | water_metals |

## Takeaway

Drinking water contaminated with heavy metals is a widespread problem causing significant health issues globally.

## The question

What is the global prevalence of heavy metal contamination in drinking water and its associated health hazards?

## Hypothesis

The abstract does not explicitly state a hypothesis, but it implies that heavy metal contamination in drinking water is a significant health concern leading to various adverse health outcomes.

## Methods

This article is a review that discusses the global contamination of drinking water with heavy metals, assesses associated health hazards, reviews the relationship between exposure limits and responses, and discusses acute and chronic poisoning symptoms and mechanisms.

## Results

Heavy metals such as arsenic, cadmium, nickel, mercury, chromium, zinc, and lead are present in drinking water above recommended limits. The predominant source of human exposure is contaminated drinking water, leading to health issues including cardiovascular disorders, neuronal damage, renal injuries, and increased risk of cancer and diabetes. The general mechanism of toxicity involves the production of reactive oxygen species and oxidative damage.

## Conclusion

Consumption of heavy metal-contaminated water contributes to high morbidity and mortality rates globally due to the production of reactive oxygen species and subsequent oxidative damage, leading to various adverse health effects.

## Limitations

As a review article, this study synthesizes existing information and does not present new experimental data or specific quantitative findings on prevalence or health impacts.

## Verbatim from the abstract

> The predominant source resulting in measurable human exposure to heavy metals is the consumption of contaminated drinking water, with consequences including cardiovascular, neuronal and renal injury and risk of cancer and diabetes.

## Where this study is used on Magellan

This paper is one of the citations behind the evidence grade on the pages below. Grades are assigned from the published research and are independent of affiliate commissions.

| Compound or device | Evidence grade | Graded pages |
| --- | --- | --- |
| Water Purification (Reverse Osmosis & Ultrafiltration) | Emerging evidence | [SimPure Reverse Osmosis System](https://magellanlongevity.com/p/42.md), [Waterdrop Undersink Reverse Osmosis](https://magellanlongevity.com/p/44.md) |

## Reference

1. **Prevalence of exposure of heavy metals and their impact on health consequences.**
   Journal of Cellular Biochemistry 2017 · [PMID 28643849](https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/28643849/) · [DOI 10.1002/jcb.26234](https://doi.org/10.1002/jcb.26234)

   > The predominant source resulting in measurable human exposure to heavy metals is the consumption of contaminated drinking water, with consequences including cardiovascular, neuronal and renal injury and risk of cancer and diabetes.

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## Related on Magellan Longevity

- [SimPure Reverse Osmosis System](https://magellanlongevity.com/p/42.md) — product graded on this and related evidence
- [Waterdrop Undersink Reverse Osmosis](https://magellanlongevity.com/p/44.md) — product graded on this and related evidence
- [Drinking water source and exposure to regulated water contaminants in the California…](https://magellanlongevity.com/study/x18.md)
- [Disinfection By-Products in Drinking Water and Bladder Cancer](https://magellanlongevity.com/study/d35536285.md)
- [Longevity research map](https://magellanlongevity.com/longevity-research-map.html)
- [Evidence-based longevity supplements](https://magellanlongevity.com/longevity-supplements.md)

## Scope and disclosures

Educational information, not medical advice. Nothing here is intended to diagnose, treat, cure, or prevent any disease. Talk to your physician before starting any supplement or device, especially if you are pregnant, nursing, or taking medication.

Editorial firewall: evidence grades are assigned from the published research and are independent of any affiliate commission. As an Amazon Associate, Magellan Longevity earns from qualifying purchases.

Reviewed for accuracy by a board-certified physician (DO).